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The Government of Canada Announces Roadmap for Linguistic Duality in Canada 2008-2013: Acting for the Future

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 19, 2008) - Canadians will benefit from an unprecedented commitment by the Government of Canada to linguistic duality and the vitality of official-language minority communities. Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie Josee Verner today released the Roadmap for Linguistic Duality in Canada 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.

This unprecedented, government-wide investment of $1.1 billion over five years will encourage linguistic duality among Canadians, and offer support to official-language minority communities in five priority areas: health, justice, immigration, economic development, and arts and culture.

Moreover, the Roadmap aims to address government priorities with action in the following areas: emphasizing the value of linguistic duality among all Canadians; building the future by investing in young people; improving access to services for official-language minority communities; capitalizing on economic benefits; ensuring efficient governance to better serve Canadians.

"The Government of Canada is taking action to promote the vitality of English and French among Canadians across the country," said Minister Verner. "Our Government is committed to linguistic duality and today, we give it tangible expression by announcing the Roadmap. Our goal is to support the cultural vitality of communities by emphasising the value of increased knowledge of both the English and French languages and access to services for official-language minority communities".

The Roadmap also calls for additional funding to enable all Canadians to benefit from linguistic duality. For example, the Government will provide all Canadians with free access to the Government of Canada Language Portal. A National Translation Program for Book Publishing will also be implemented to increase the availability of books in both official languages.

"Once again I thank everyone who participated in the consultations on linguistic duality and official languages. The consultation findings, as well as the studies conducted by key stakeholders, such as minority official-language communities, Parliamentary committees, and the Commissioner of Official Languages, were vital to the development of the Roadmap, our plan for the future." added Minister Verner.

In line with the overall approach of the Government of Canada, the Roadmap will add to other government strategies and departmental responsibilities for official languages. The Government of Canada will work with partners and key stakeholders, such as provincial and territorial governments, official-language communities, and all Canadians, to implement the Roadmap for Linguistic Duality in Canada so people across the country may benefit from it.

For more information on the Roadmap for Linguistic Duality in Canada: Acting for the Future, please see the attached backgrounder.

Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future

FACT SHEET

The Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future is an unprecedented government-wide commitment, with a budget of 1.1 billion divided among 13 departments and federal agencies. The Roadmap is directed at strengthening the vitality of minority official-language communities and offering all Canadians the benefits that French and English-the country's two official languages-give them.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (Translation Bureau) - 34.0

- Government of Canada's Language Portal (Termium) - 16.0

- Language Industry Initiative - 10.0

- Program of University Scholarships in Translation and Interpretation - 8.0

Western Economic Diversification Canada - 3.2

- Economic Development Initiative - 3.2

Total - 1 109.8

Contact Information

Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,Status of Women and Official Languagesand Minister for La FrancophonieDominic GosselinPress Secretary819-997-7788orCanadian HeritageDonald BoulangerA/Chief, Media Relations819-994-9101